Need advice for new stick burner. Outlaw or Boathouse offset.

[Stinkyonion]

I have a pellet smoker and a propane smoker. They both smoke weakly. Pathetic even. I want to buy an offset, the absolute best I can get that is available now. Buy once, cry once. The two offsets immediately available (cancelled orders) are the Outlaw offset (3/16" thick, 26x60, insulated firebox, stainless shelf, bar grates, short smoke stack, vertical baffle, "designed for hot and fast") and the Boathouse Smokers offset (3/8" thick, 24x48, insulated firebox, tall folding smokestack, conventional expanded grate and shelf, vertical baffle, designed for long and slow). Which should I get? I do not compete. I just want the best tasting food I can get so I dont have to upgrade again. Some reviews say long and slow is way better than hot and fast. Some experts say the food tastes the same. Some say 3/8" is better than 3/16". Others say 3/16" is enough and anything more just makes the offset too heavy and is a waste. I am so confused! Both are nearly $10k after all the options and delivery. I want to smoke a little bit of everything. I live in northern Wisconsin. It is a tossup to me. The Outlaw is built on a super small "hybrid" trailer that is easy to move around my property. The Boathouse has offroad cart, heavy duty construction, built-on santa maria grill over the firebox, and fancy hinges and other bits. I am a total novice but I am not buying 3 offsets to gradually increase my ability. One and done. Take your pick. Appreciate any response, particularly from those that are familiar with hot and fast vs long and slow. You can see pictures by looking at the Outlaw (https://outlawbbqsmokers.com/2660-enclosed-hybrid) and the Boathouse (https://boathousesmokers.com/texas-traditional-90-1), but the santa maria grill wont show up unless you look at slightly larger 120 gallon smokers (https://boathousesmokers.com/texas-traditional-120).​

 

[bigfurmn]

Outlaw looks pretty cool to me, that being said I'm not buying it. I figure buy what strikes you. You know what you want to cook and what you cook. Both seem like great rigs.

 

[Dustin Dorsey]

Of the two the Boathouse smoker seems the better pit. I've cooked on neither. Both I'm sure are fantastic. With the Outlaw you are paying for a paint job.

 

[daniels]

$10,000!!! You're way out of my league.

I have a Yoder Loaded Wichita. If I had it to do over I might get the Yoder Cheyenne since we are now empty nesters.

 

[sawhorseray]

I'D BUY THE BOATHOUSE AND THEN SAVE UP TO BUY A TRACTOR TO MOVE IT AROND WITH. GOOD LUCK! RAY

 

[JckDanls 07]

I like the Santa Maria grill option... A lot depends on how much you plan on cooking at one time as well...

But honestly there are cheaper smokers out there... I prefer a reverse flow smoker myself ...

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I would vote for the boathouse myself. It has more useable features such as slide out grates, nice plenum for the stack so more even temps. Neither model is reverse flow which I think makes a difference. I agree with the comment on the outlaw, paying a lot for a fancy paint job and cabinet that really adds nothing to the cook except aesthetics. You could buy a lang for a lot less and likely get a better cook, but I have not cooked on either of the two you have it narrowed down to.

 

[Elf@shore]

HI! I would seriously @ MEADOW CREEEK ?
They build what you want ! Custom Pits.
IMO: Both Yur choices ? Nope ! A ALOT OF MUCH!
Fancy design, not functional ? WHY?
Buy a Franklin Custom ?
Sorry ? 10K !! Kinda Puts me into SHOCK!!

 

[culpepersmoke]

I’m a little biased but I love my HWH smoker. It doesn’t have the fancy paint job, just plain old school black.
It runs great around 230 ~250 range but if I want to run hot and fast, I can adjust the dampers, add some wood and go to town.
They will customize your smoker any way you want. I had mine out of smooth steel as I didn’t care for the diamond plate.
I live in northern Michigan and I use it almost year round. In the winter months I do put some moving blankets over the cooking chamber to help keep it warm.
I’ve been running this pit for about 5 years and have never regretted the decision.

 

[JckDanls 07]

HWH smoker

??????

 

[culpepersmoke]

??????

HOME | hbtsmokers

www.hbtsmokers.com

Sorry about the confusion, I’ve been dealing with hwh hydraulic company all week and apparently still have them on my mind.
Thanks for pointing it out to me.

 

[King Nud]

I own a 3/8 inch offset they do not need a lot of wood once the thermal mass gets hot. For way up north i would go with the Boathouse.

 

[King Nud]

I watched the video the Boathouse constructing the 24 x 60. If you can't smoke it in that you can't smoke. That' awesome smoker.

 

[jcam222]

Have you been considered looking for a used Lang? $10K buys a LOT of used smoker. They two you are looking at are nice no doubt but for $10K I'd want more cooking area.

 

[02ebz06]

LoneStarGrillz (LSG) has quite a few heavy duty offsets. Made in USA

Custom Smokers - Offset Smokers - Vertical Smokers | Lone Star Grillz

Lone Star Grillz offers a wide selection of quality stand up and offset vertical smokers for sale. If you are looking for a custom smoker we provide top quality work. Visit our website for more information.

lonestargrillz.com

 

[Elf@shore]

HI! FYI: FB has a nice used Shirley ! Sweet looking Smoker !
Its $4500, Just reduced price Located in Alexandria,VA.
Wish I could !? Maybe next time I win the Big one !?

I would reach out to Meadow Creek, they build custom smokers. They have a smoker buyers guide down load, It will give you a lot of INFO, even if you do not buy from them?
Located near Lancaster, PA. A bit closer for your Local.
Ask for Lavern ,he is the Web contact for Meadow Creek.
I believe he can explain the smoking process to you better.
IMO: Low and slow! WHY?
Less shrinkage of protein, allows it to break down and gives more flavor! Which is what you want? I would rethink what you want ?
Off road cart, Trailer, Ect. ?
How big of a unit? Cooking Grate space, warming box, Ect?
10K is insane !? Look for a Used unit that is well kept, Probably less then 5K if you do yur homework !? I see really nice units on FB saving you $$
Good Luck ! ELF

 

[fendersrule]

Just chiming in, but if you're really after smoke flavor, I would recommend against insulated fireboxes. Efficiency has a trade off with smoke flavor. Less logs = less smoke.

Personally have been extremely happy with the performance of a 1/4" steel non insulated firebox. 40+ minute tend times are nice, not sure why you'd need any more than that. You want some heat bleed off.

Partial insulated fireboxes are probably as far as I'd go.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Just chiming in, but if you're really after smoke flavor, I would recommend against insulated fireboxes. Efficiency has a trade off with smoke flavor. Less logs = less smoke.

Personally have been extremely happy with the performance of a 1/4" steel non insulated firebox. 40+ minute tend times are nice, not sure why you'd need any more than that. You want some heat bleed off.

Partial insulated fireboxes are probably as far as I'd go.

HHmmmm ... I could lean towards this theory ...